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Please critique my brisket process for a heavy bark

Posted on 5/28/22 at 7:48 am
Posted by Sheepdog1833
Member since Feb 2019
685 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 7:48 am
As stated, I’m looking to increase the bark via changing the rub or cooking process if possible via Traeger.

I’m cooking a 16# Snake River Farms packer overnight, tomorrow night into Monday.

My process is pretty simple
225 on the Traeger
Rub is simple - Light Oil with Kosher Salt and Butcher’s Black Pepper
Smoke until 150-160
Wrap in pink butcher’s paper
Cool until 195 or so depending on probe test
ETA: Let it rest wrapped in a towel in an ice chest for a minimum one hour before slicing
Which part of this can I amend for better bark or overall process.

And if it’s a rub issue, where can I pick up locally on Northshore?

What am I looking at time wise cooking after I trim this 16 pounder?
This post was edited on 5/28/22 at 8:31 am
Posted by Oilfieldbiology
Member since Nov 2016
37491 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 8:12 am to
How thick do you pack the rub on? I haven’t done a brisket in a long time but the last time I smoked one, our rub was coarse salt, the same black pepper you listed, and garlic powder. We slathered that baby with rub.

We didn’t oil it at all nor did we wrap it to let it wrest. Doesn’t wrapping it essentially steam it?

The bark was great
This post was edited on 5/28/22 at 8:13 am
Posted by Remo Williams
The Home of the Brave
Member since Dec 2010
752 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 8:14 am to
Wrap closer to 170. Don’t pull until 203. Rest in an ice chest for at least a couple hours before slicing. Doing one tonight. Wish me luck.
Posted by jmon
Mandeville, LA
Member since Oct 2010
8410 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 8:31 am to
Go heavy on the coarse salt and pepper, add some garlic powder to your rub. I use mustard as my binder and apply the rub at least 12 hours prior, wrapped tight in plastic wrap. I tend to smoke in the 225° to 250° range, wrap around 165° to 170° and go until just over 200° and or probe tender. Keep in wrap, place in a cooler with big beach towels for a few hours.

I have added some brown sugar to my rubs in the past, and that will surely add to the crust formation.
Posted by GynoSandberg
Member since Jan 2006
72010 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 8:37 am to
Skip the oil in the rub
Posted by Lester Earl
Member since Nov 2003
278324 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 9:00 am to
You know the coverage you get on a donut when you dip it into sprinkles?

That’s how the S&P should be on your brisket.

50/50 mix. Your pepper has to be coarse, too.
Posted by Prairie Tiger
Member since Oct 2016
270 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 9:10 am to
You can build the bark all you want but as soon as your wrap, that bark can turn to mush.

I spritz mine every 1 1/2 hours through the cook and that develops amazing bark and also keeps it moist without having to wrap.

I use a dalmation rub with garlic powder. Apple cider vinegar and apple juice base for my spritz.

ETA: My wording was off. If you build a bark for hours by spritzing like I do, once you wrap it, the bark can really soften and not be crisp anymore. That’s why I spritz and don’t wrap.
This post was edited on 5/28/22 at 9:22 am
Posted by Jake88
Member since Apr 2005
68183 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 9:17 am to
I don’t wrap and it still comes out moist and has a crusty bark.
Posted by CoachChappy
Member since May 2013
32535 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 9:27 am to
quote:

Doing one tonight. Wish me luck.
good luck. I’m throwing one on tonight for tomorrow lunch.


Does anybody not wrap? Im thinking about going 210 all night until I hit 203. Wrap it up then and in the ice chest until it’s time to eat.
This post was edited on 5/28/22 at 9:28 am
Posted by Glock17
Member since Oct 2007
22384 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 10:05 am to
Don’t wrap based on temp… wrap based on bark color and be sure it’s set.

Last brisket I did, I used the “foil boat” method instead of wrapping and it was probably the best brisket I’ve done
Posted by TackySweater
Member since Dec 2020
11798 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 10:19 am to
No oil and no wrapping will get you a better crust.
Posted by Dav
Dhan
Member since Feb 2010
8073 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 10:28 am to
quote:

Don’t wrap based on temp… wrap based on bark color and be sure it’s set.


This
Posted by dtett
Jiggacity
Member since Oct 2018
511 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 10:44 am to
quote:

Traeger


Found your problem.

Stick burner is the only reliable method I've found to get a good bark.
Posted by TackySweater
Member since Dec 2020
11798 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 11:37 am to
quote:

Found your problem. Stick burner is the only reliable method I've found to get a good bark.


You’re doing something wrong then
Posted by PerplenGold
TX
Member since Nov 2021
1181 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 12:24 pm to
quote:

Does anybody not wrap?


No oil or wrap, then in the cooler for at least 2 hours.
Posted by AlwysATgr
Member since Apr 2008
16414 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 12:48 pm to
A lot of good tips already.

I have no problems getting bark on a BGE.

Dill pickle juice as a binder.
S&P rub (coarse ground pepper) - lots of both. Can buy Killens or HEB brand off the shelf or just make your own. Let sit 24hrs in fridge.

I spritz with water about every hour during the cook.

Wrap around 175F to 185F. (I liked the advice to go off bark color & formation rather than temp for this.) I think you want to keep your heat low after wrapping.
Posted by ChEgrad
Member since Nov 2012
3262 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 1:15 pm to
quote:

I don’t wrap and it still comes out moist and has a crusty bark.


I have not cooked a ton of briskets, but the best one that I have cooked I did not ever wrap and it had great bark and was moist and tender. Quite frankly, the wrapped ones weren’t bad either, but if you are really wanting to guarantee good bark, don’t wrap. It will take a bit longer, but just plan for that.
Posted by SwampBooty
Sulphur, LA
Member since Sep 2015
739 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 1:24 pm to
I’d scrap the oil. I’ll put more pepper on it than recommend as I like the taste/color and doesn’t overpower salt. If wrapping don’t do until 170 and pull at 203. Although pulling at 203 won’t affect bark
Posted by MEANGREEN65
Funkytown, TX
Member since Oct 2014
777 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 1:29 pm to
Meat church did a video this week with the guy from Truth BBQ in Houston and it was amazing.

Spritz the butcher paper with ACV before you wrap it up to avoid it sticking and pulling bark off. Counter rest for 60-90 minutes before moving to ice chest.

I’m doing one tonight and will follow those couple steps and I’m expecting my best ever tonight or for lunch.

Good luck fellas!
Posted by armsdealer
Member since Feb 2016
11500 posts
Posted on 5/28/22 at 1:50 pm to
Sugar. You don't need a lot, maybe a tablespoon per brisket.

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